By the time the Civil War began, Nashville (in addition to its political importance as the state capitol) had become the commercial and transportation center of middle Tennessee.  The convergence of both river and railroad steam-powered transportation at Nashville gave it strong strategic significance as Union forces began their push through Tennessee on the way to Atlanta and ultimately the Atlantic.
 
 

As shown on the above map, Nashville boasted at least two "Steamboat Landings" that provided Cumberland River connections with five railroads (the Louisville & Nashville, the Nashville & Chattanooga, the Nashville & Northwestern, the Tennessee & Alabama, and the Edgefield & Kentucky).  The Cumberland was navigable from Nashville to its mouth on the Ohio River year round (however, there were numerous shoals that made navigation tricky and dangerous).  Additional river commerce continued upstream from Nashville, although the Cumberland River was generally navigable only in the winter and spring months.

  River Ports and Shipyards

Last update:  September 12, 2001